More than a fight in the ring to see who is better with their fists, the clash between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Terence Crawford would turn out to be a chess match in search of deciphering the opponent’s weaknesses. Being two very technical fighters, it will be a mental game like few have been seen in the ring.
But until their showdown for the undisputed super middleweight title unfolds at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, tonight, it is simply a matter of predicting, with no certainty, what the basic keys are that each will need to apply to overcome the other and take victory.
Canelo Alvarez will need to have good footwork and be aggressive
Judges often award points for something called “effective aggression”. What this means is that, during those periods when not much seems to be happening, the fighter who moves forward will probably come out with a 10-9 round. So, if the fight is decided at the last moment, Canelo’s extra aggression could be enough.
While Crawford is undoubtedly the more fluid fighter, as evidenced by his impeccable footwork, Canelo must not allow himself to get caught up in knots. Over the years, Canelo has proven to be one of the most spiteful punchers in the sport, often lowering his opponent’s guard before launching a more powerful attack upwards.
Terence Crawford: he has to take advantage of being ambidextrous and his speed
Naturally, the man moving up in weight will probably always be the faster fighter, but with Crawford, his speed advantage could be so significant that it makes Canelo look like he’s moving on cement. In that sense, the 37-year-old’s in-and-out movement should only be enhanced by his reflexes.
Another key will be the ‘switch hitting’. It’s no secret that Crawford fights equally well from either stance, whether southpaw or orthodox, and can land a devastating punch. And while he doesn’t have the power to trouble Canelo, ‘Bud’ can certainly upset his rhythm by regularly switching from southpaw to orthodox, always aiming to disguise his attacks.
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